This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
368 minutes a day, 1,840 minutes a week and a whopping 62,192 minutes a school year. That's the total amount of instruction time my students have every year. Imagine sitting in the same hard chairs every day for that length of time. This is why I need to change up the seating for my kids.
My students live in a rural, low-income community.
However, despite their high needs, they are some of the most creative, passionate and and amazing kids I have ever taught! I challenge them in my classroom to work collaboratively to sole real world problems that would typically encounter in the media industry. They always seem to amaze me with the solutions they are able to develop when working together.
With that being said, they have 368 minutes a day, 1,840 minutes a week and a whopping 62,192 minutes a school year of instruction time. They are asked to sit still in a hard chair/desk all day while they learn. Not only do my students who struggle with focusing have a hard time doing this, but most of my students feel the need to move around and just get comfortable in an effort to collaborate more in their groups and work independently. This is why I'm seeking bean bag chairs for a collaboration lounge and stability balls to use at their work tables during instruction.
My Project
Research has shown that when students use stability balls in the classroom, they find it easier to concentrate and focus. I typically have 10% of students who struggle with focusing and paying paying attention. I plan to use the stability balls at their work tables for them to use in small and large group instruction time.
I also plan to use the bean bag chairs in a collaboration corner, for a group that might need a secluded place to work together or to use as a reward for a group that has shown excellent collaboration skills throughout a project.
I know that my students will love having more comfortable seating and the stability balls in the classroom.
I believe that this will not only increase their engagement and collaboration, but will give them the overall sense of comfort while at school.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Pettyjohn and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
